The Matineecast

Runtime

65 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction with guest Courtney Small

3:10 The New Slang: I LIKE MOVIES

Thoughts from Your Host…

Well, hello again!

How are ya? Get that thing with that person figured out? How’s the family? Same old same old?

Me? Well, I thought I would allow myself a breath. I know, I know, it’s much better to stay consistent with projects like these – and generally speaking I have! Every two weeks for over thirteen years. However, between three very very long episodes over the last four dispatches and what was a very hard winter for me and mine, I found myself a little burnt out.

It’s much better now though – I took a quick adventure, I replenished some spoons, I tracked down some wonderful films and I’m ready to throw myself into the next hundred.

We’re starting gently today – something small and sweet that gave us a lot to think about. I know that there are some flash gunfight movies out there, some boxers, a superhero or two…but this little offering felt right. What’s more, considering the conversation it sparked between my old friend and I, I think the proof is in the pudding.

So, yes – hello again. Thanks for sticking around. Thanks for letting me get back on my feet and remember that if I can ever help you get back on yours I’m happy to offer a hand.

Let’s do this.

Links mentioned in Episode 302…

Big Shiny Tunes 4:

Courtney Small’s Spoutible feed

Courtney’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

108 minutes

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction and welcome guest Marya E. Gates. (0:00)
2. Rundown of the nominees for adapted and original screenplay (2:18)
3. Rundown of the nominees for Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Actress, and Actor (22:15)
4. Rundown of the nominees for Best Direction and Best Picture (1:04:20)
5. Omissions and trends (1:29:59)
6. Early predictions (1:37:25)

Thoughts from your host…

Well hello again!

Seems like just yesterday I was posting a long episode and writing a lot of words to go along with it. When you combine the year-end episode, the 300th, and this Oscar episode, we get three volumes in the last four that come with epic runtimes.

What can I say – It’s just a moment in the history of this show that things are getting a little more verbose.

In light of that, I’m going to keep this intro brief.

For more than ten years now, I have been having these annual conversations with Marya. They make for some of my favorite episodes. We often use them as a way to touch on a lot of topics at once, and 301 is no exception.

Please enjoy. Please seek out some of the titles we touch on if you haven’t seen them. Please seek out Marya’s wonderful recommendations.

Links from the show:

BANSHEES OF INISHERIN director Martin McDonagh in-conversation with Taylor Swift:

The nominees group picture from the 2023 Oscar Luncheon. Notice the happy expression on the face of Brian Tyree-Henry – back row, sixth from the right:

Pop Culture Detective’s video essay on the subversive approach to masculinity posed by Waymond in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE:

Gina Prince-Blythewood’s piece in The Hollywood Reporter regarding THE WOMAN KING’s Oscar shutout.

Thanks for tuning into episode three-hundred-one.

Marya’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening.

Enjoy!

Runtime
145 minutes

Up for Discussion

1. The Introduction
2. Matthew Brown and The Neverending Stofy(2:56)
3. Rosa Parra and Inside Out (22:59)
4. Jim Laczkowski and The Sunset Limited (44:27)
5. Samantha Joyce and My Girl (1:09:36)
6. Jonathan Barkan and Relic (1:35:47)
7. Natalie Davey and In The Shadow of The Pines (2:05:21)
8. The Wrap (2:22:28)

Thoughts from your host…

When you publish a podcast more than two hours long that also happens to be your 300th one (350 if we’re counting side-episodes!), it’s hard to know what’s left to say. But I couldn’t publish something like this without a few more thoughts

Someone near and dear to the show suggested “Open your heart and let it rain”.

The first heavy drop I feel from the sky is one of nerves – one that says that I have spent the better part of a month working on something that doesn’t land. It’s the strangest feeling since I have tossed so many of these podcasting paper airplanes over the balcony and never once thought much about where they will land (or if they land). Today though? I’m trying something different, something bigger, something that I want to land in the right places…and with that comes nerves that I have spent the better part of a month creating something that didn’t work.

The second few drops landing on my shoulders are those of weariness. The actual time spent on this project is one thing, but there was also a great deal of emotional energy that went into it. Listening, and re-listening; planning and hoping. Putting myself in the shoes of so many people I know and also those I don’t. I think about how this show affected me emotionally to create, and it leaves me with a heavy heart knowing that at least I get to move forward and start doing easier things.

Lots of people in the world aren’t that lucky – and it’s not a thought or feeling I take lightly.

The next several drops hitting my head are those of hope – hope not only that this little totem does what I want it to do, but that we all are getting to a better place. That with every passing day, week, month, and year we are understanding more and more about mental health – whether it affects us personally or not. Hope that we can continue to redefine the language, the response, the latitude.

I hope one day someone stumbles across this episode and finds it quaint that we had to dedicate so much time to something that has become common knowledge.

And as the clouds open and start to drench me, the precipitation is that of gratitude. To everyone involved with this episode – both in the audio and behind the scenes. Some wanted to join, but couldn’t – their influence is still present. Others may have wanted to, but I didn’t realize – their impulse is appreciated. And everyone who listens to even one minute of this opus, everyone who clicks ‘forward’ or ‘share’…I am grateful for you and what you bring to this endeavour.

So as I sit here getting wetter and wetter by the mental downpour – nervous, weary, hopeful, and grateful – let me just say that I appreciate every chance this little podcast has given me to share ideas, humour, empathy, passion, and perspective. It’s an opportunity I have never taken lightly, and one I hope has made good use of the privilege I am afforded.

Welcome to Wherever You Are.

Links from The Show:

Movie poster from The Sunset Limited:

Samantha Joyce’s books on Goodreads – Flirting With Fame and Dealing in Deception

Mental Health and Horror trailer, directed by Jonathan Barkan:

In The Shadow of The Pines short film by Anne Koizumi

Matthew Salesses Time essay on grief.

Natalie’s Reframeables TikTok account

Reframeables Episode 62 where Caitlin Green discusses active listening (with so much more)

Follow my guests on Twitter:

• Jonathan Barkan
• Natalie Davey
• Samantha Joyce
• Jim Laczkowski
• Rosa Parra

You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you so very much for listening.

Take care of yourselves and Enjoy!

Runtime

77 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction with guest Andrew Robinson

3:10 The New Slang: Spoiler-riddled conversation of THE WHALE

52:22 The Other Side: Andrew and Ryan talk further reading after Darren Aronofsky’s film

Thoughts from Your Host…

Small peek behind the curtain – Episode 299 was harder to plan and pull off that Episode 300 is proving to be! My feeling is that in-part that’s because 300 has so many more moving parts that I’ve been putting more effort into that, and getting a little ahead of myself..

Oops.

Oddly enough, there are things about this episode that dovetail nicely into the next, but offering a full explanation would spoil the surprise!

Apologies in advance for going full-spoilers on this episode, but I really do believe that the film requires it. That said, I don’t feel as though it’s the sort of film that comes with a big twist, so hopefully you’ll permit us for once.

Links mentioned in Episode 299…

The Whale Trailer:

Blindspot post on Kurosawa’s IKIRU – a year-starting selection

Matineecast 79 – or “The reason I no longer podcast about random things Andrew gets me to watch”

Andrew’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime
120 minutes

Up for Discussion

1. Introduction with Hillary Butler and Bob Turnbull
2, THE FIVES (3:24)
3. THE FOURS (17:55)
4. THE THREES (34:58)
5. THE TWOS (45:32)
6. THE ONES (1:04:02)
7. “JURY PRIZES” (1:29:45)

Thoughts from your host…

First things first – the quite clever and always engaging Jolie Featherstone was supposed to join us for this episode, but fell ill at the last minute. We missed her this year, but can happily report that she’s feeling better a few days on.

This time last year, I said the following:

My hope remains that ’22 allows me a chance to start doing more episodes in person. That I will feel safe enough to go back to the cinema. That by the time next December rolls around, four of us will gather at one table once again.

Check, check, and most of a check. How often does that happen??

It can be hard to see the blessings from the curses sometimes, can’t it? We get bogged down in how hard life is getting, or how bad the news is that we lose track of the simple joys fate can offer us. Don’t get me wrong – everyone’s burdens come with their own weight, i don’t want to sit here and try to whistle them away. I only wish to say that sometimes we need to recognize that with the bitter can come an awful lot of sweet, and that to dismiss it is to disrespect it.

This year was good one for film, if not a great one. There might have been fewer masterpieces, but wow were there ever some bangers.

It was a year where I was introduced to the visions of Charlotte Wells, Colm Bairead, Alice Diop, Sophie Hyde, and Ninja Thyberg.

It was a year where storytellers like The Daniels, Josephine Decker, and Kogonada doubled-down.

It was a year I got re-acquainted with Todd Field and Sarah Polley – and the year I learned that Steven Spielberg still has things left to say.

It was a year where the discourse at times felt intolerable, and yet a year where I was still ushered towards some absolute gems by trusted voices..

I got a lot of what I hoped for these last twelve months, and at the risk of sounding like a starry-eyed optimist, I am grateful for all of it. While the year has been wonderful, the last several weeks have not – and it’s these moments of difficulty that memories of joy are built to guide us through.

So here’s to 2022 – all of its highs and even its lows. I’d make hopes for next year, but I wouldn’t want to push my luck. If anything I will say that I hope the year ahead brings me back into the shared space of more friends like Hillary, Jolie, and Bob.

If you’re reading this and you think I mean you, I probably do – here’s to catching up in ’23!

Links from The Show:

Pop Culture Detective’s visual essay on Waymond in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”:

Hillary’s review of Brainwashed

In addition, four of the thirteen films discussed at-length today had Matineecasts of their own – but to link them specifically would give the game away. So if you’d like to look at what you might have missed later, take a listen to the following shows:

Episode 279

Episode 293

Episode 294

Episode 296

Hillary’s Twitter feed can be found here. Bob’s Twitter feed can be found here.You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS

Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening and all the best for the new year!

Enjoy!

Runtime

77 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:30 Know Your Enemy with Guest – Brian J. Roan

22:16 The New Slang: BONES AND ALL

52:22 The Other Side: BRIAN and Ryan talk further reading after Luca Guadagnino’s film

Thoughts from Your Host…

Considering that this is the last episode before Christmas, you’d think we’d choose something more festive…or at least more happy. But aren’t the holidays a time to spend overindulging and eating too much? Maybe this will be a new holiday classic!

Or maybe not.

Jokes aside, I’m happy to be spending time with an old friend for the last full episode of the year. It’s a reminder of the way people reconnect over the holidays – the way they share memories, have a few laughs, swap stories and generally make merry. It can be a tough time of year for some – more and more every passing year it seems – and my heart does go out to them. While I am lucky enough to have the people in my life that make the holidays bright, I know that’s not the case for everyone.

For those I offer I wish of quiet calm. I hope that they are able to get through the next several days and weeks with minimal stress and anxiety, and that the warmth of the season eventually finds them in new ways that make the time of year a little easier.

As for us at The Matineecast, we are capping off a year that came with its ups and downs like so many do, but that showed us love and community when we needed it most. This soap box remains a humble one, so we consider everyone listening to these shows our family.

So as is the family tradition, we wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season, and hope that your days and nights for what’s left of 2022 bring you warmth, light, peace, and love.

Links mentioned in Episode 297…

The Glengarry Glen Ross monologue:

Matineecast 280 where Hillary Butler dropped by to discuss Cyrano

Brian’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

103 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

2:38 Know Your Enemy with Guest – Corey Atad

21:23 The New Slang: THE FABELMANS

1:16:46 The Other Side: Corey and Ryan talk further reading after Steven Spielberg’s film

Thoughts from Your Host…

So, first of all – quick announcement. Episode 300 of this little dog and pony show is coming up fast. I’m happy to report that plans are afoot for a special episode that I’m very excited about. It’s a little surreal to consider I’ve turned on my microphone 300 times (more than that, but 300 full episodes). I’m a senior citizen in these parts, but one who is still enjoying what he does.

January 23rd, 2023 – mark your calendars.

Meanwhile, I think about the huge role that Twitter has played in the growing of this project, and cannot help but feel saddened at the state of the place. This is actually mildly amusing considering how I was a reluctant and late adopter.

What is happening with that platform is just heartbreaking, which is strange to say since it’s a private company and not a public trust. I wasn’t deeply affected when Blockbuster left, or when I stopped using LiveJournal…but this feels…different.

Perhaps it’s because of the specific story we are seeing unfold. How in all reality there still isn’t anything stopping me from posting songs and photos and links to my work, but how doing so just feels gross.

Meanwhile, as I mentioned off the top of this show, it’s hard to think about where one should go instead. I’ve started an account on Hive for now (@matinee), but that seems a little niche.

I’ve long been a person who can handle bad news – but moments of “not knowing” spike my anxiety. Maybe that’s the biggest downer of all of it. Watching what is becoming of our community is brutal, but we just don’t know how much more brutal it will get…or even where to go instead.

Suggestions are welcome.

Meanwhile, today, I have a wonderful episode for you. We get quite spoiler-ific, but there is so much passion and reflection in the conversation, I hope you will excuse us for giving away the farm. It’s not like what we discuss is a “twist” – Burt Fabelman isn’t actually Keyser Soze – but what’s at the core of this film is something that cannot be soft-shoed around, so we just didn’t even try.

It’s a long one today, gang. Get comfy.

Links mentioned in Episode 296…

Luke Kirby in Sarah Polley’s TAKE THIS WALTZ:

Kevin B. Lee’s video essay illustrating “The Spielberg Face”:

Corey’s review of WEIRD

Corey’s review of HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE

Corey’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

79 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:21 Know Your Enemy with Guest – Rosa Parra

26:16 The New Slang: BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

1:05:35 The Other Side: Rosa and Ryan talk further reading after Ryan Coogler’s film

Thoughts from Your Host…

Kind people, this will handily go down as one of the most memorable episodes I have ever recorded.

Whenever I get a first time guest on, I really don’t know what to expect. It’s less about what to expect from the guest and more what to expect from myself. I worry about wasting people’s time, and I wonder about not coming across smart enough, hospitable enough, or allowing the proper space that a guest deserves.

When I’m lucky though – something incredible happens; After I invite a guest on to my show, my guest invites me right back. They invite me into their perspective, their understanding, their experience, and when I’m very very lucky, their very being.

On Episode 295, I was very very lucky.

There’s a moment in this show of pure vulnerability – and it was so generous of Rosa to offer it up to us. I didn’t say much in the moment, but it stayed with me the rest of the weekend as I edited – and will continue to stay with me for a long time ahead. It was a reminder that we all do the very best we can in some of life’s hardest moments, and that film can show us that even gods and monsters have mortal flaws.

As if that wasn’t enough, this episode comes with the most delightful interruption…and I still haven’t settled my craving.

I invited Rosa on to this show back in late September. This weekend, she invited me right back, and for that I am deeply grateful.

Links mentioned in Episode 295…

Some of the pieces in the Guillermo del Toro’s “At Home with Monsters” exhibit that came to the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2917:

A post shared by Ryan McNeil (@matinee_ca)

Rosa’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

83 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction

3:53 Know Your Enemy with Guest – Bob Turnbull

25:10 The New Slang: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

1:04:31 The Other Side: Bob and Ryan talk further reading after Martin McDonagh film

Thoughts from Your Host…

Back on-schedule this week and back with all of the features that a full Matineecast is known to deliver. That means “The Other Side” is back, and it also means the debut of a ninth round of “Know Your Enemy” questions. It’s a good feeling going into November.

More than once my guest for this talk mentions Episode 300, and I admit it’s been on my mind. It’s amazing to think I’ve been doing this for so long – and humbling to know that even just one person keeps coming back. I haven’t wanted to get carried away with plans because of both superstition and also an acute understanding the 300 episodes of Matineecast isn’t the same as 300 episodes of “All Things Considered”.

Still I want to – and will – mark the occasion. Not long ago I watched as an institution that had hit a milestone needed to be talked into celebrating the milestone. I swore that would never be me. These days, anything worth celebrating is just that: worth celebrating.

Time to think about 300. Any ideas?

Links mentioned in Episode 294…

Trailer for Gumball Run:

The final HIGH FIDELITY needle drop:

Matineecast 59 where Joanna Chlebus and I discuss HIGH FIDELITY

The red tape scene from PULSE:

“I don’t like y no more…” scene from THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN:

“justified” by Kacey Musgraves

Bob’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!

Runtime

61 minutes

Show Contents

0:00 Introduction with Guest – Jolie Featherstone

3:37 The New Slang: TÁR

Thoughts from Your Host…

Now and then, episodes of this humble podcast prove a little bit testy. Details like timing and co-ordinating guests prove a little challenging when I get a certain film in-mind at a certain moment. Now that I think about it, this is the second episode in a row where the movie and the moment proved a challenge.

You’d think that would push me to shift my stance: To pick films more widely accessible that would make bringing guests in that much easier.

But I can’t help myself; When there’s a topic I want to talk about, I’m like a dog with a bone.

This week’s episode is a great example. There are slasher films out there right now that Jolie and I could have chatted about, and a superhero film that could have made for an easy show. But a whole week later, and there are so many small moments in the film we chose that are sticking with me. There are so many shots, sounds, moments and meanings that have stuck in my skin like a splinter. So much so, that we spent darned near a whole hour on the feature topic!

That’s why I choose the movies I do – because whether you’ve seen them yet or not, I believe they (usually) merit discussion and hope you will want to come back and listen-in when you catch up with the film.

So a little later than usual, but here we are again – a lesser-known title and a lively discussion. Slip on your custom suit and join us in the house, wont you?

Links mentioned in Episode 293…

Jolie’s past appearances on The Matineecast – she’s often joined me for under-the-radar type films!

Jolie’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome and thank you very much for listening. 

Enjoy!